
As a nonpartisan organization, the Public School Forum of North Carolina has maintained only one bias since our founding nearly 40 years ago: we believe in the value of public education for every child, regardless of their identity, background, or any other factor. We understand that education is a powerful tool that is vital to preparing students for life and maintaining a strong democracy.
As news of federal policy changes that will affect our local public schools and uncertainty about if and how those policies will be enacted mount, we are keeping students at the forefront of our minds. We are in ongoing conversations with national and state-level partners to understand the implications of federal actions. As we gain clarity on the actual implications of proposed or enacted changes, we will share information so that we can continue to be a resource for North Carolina’s school communities in these uncertain times, and we urge those communities to remain vigilant in doing what’s best for kids.
The onslaught of news regarding the current federal administration’s plans for K-12 and higher education as well as changes to immigration policy that will impact students and communities across North Carolina can be overwhelming; however, we will not allow it to discourage our unwavering commitment to advocating for high-quality and equitable public education for every child in North Carolina. We are confident that this is also true for educators, families, and leaders across our state and the nation. The work in front of us of providing students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in life is too important to be deterred.
Earlier this week the Forum shared our Top Education Issues which serves as our policy agenda for the 2025-26 biennium. One issue we’re elevating is addressing critical needs to support child well-being and success both in and out of school. In order for students to reach their full potential they must feel safe in their learning environment and cannot be burdened by stressors beyond their control. Students have experienced significant increases in mental health disorders in recent years, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, and North Carolina’s children of color and LGBTQ+ youth are suffering disproportionately.
We will continue to seek to understand and spotlight the state of child well-being in North Carolina and advocate for creating safe, affirming school environments for all students. As education researchers, teachers, and parents, we know that nurturing child well-being is essential to fostering learning.
While the headlines suggest that a lot is changing fast, at the same time, so many things are not different. Today, dedicated public school educators across North Carolina are writing lesson plans that will deliver high-quality instruction to support their students’ learning. Somewhere in our state principals and district leaders are meeting about expanding learning opportunities to help students graduate on a pathway for success in life. Young people in sports and performing arts practices are learning leadership and teamwork while forging life-long friendships. And in every district, you will find school staff working together to create schools where every student feels safe and valued, every day.
In a moment full of headlines about things that are changing, we remain steadfast in our commitment to North Carolina’s public school students and educators and we remain ready to support our school communities and partner with state leaders to ensure that our local public schools are preparing our children to be successful in life.
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